Hollister - Investors financing a casino resort in San Benito County offered few details aside from announcing a site at a press conference Monday, but they vowed public involvement in the proposal's planning and promoted it as a "gateway to the Monterey Peninsula."
Investors from Game Won were joined by an attorney representing the five-member California Valley Miwok tribe proposing a casino resort, Phillip Thompson, at the press conference in Hollister announcing a planned site for the project. No Miwoks were present.
Throughout the press conference, they emphasized that many of investors are local businessman as opposed to being from an outside management company, such as those from Las Vegas or Reno.
Investors said they'll follow a business model that breaks away from those of standard casino developments and emphasizes public involvement.
"We are all part of this community," said Game Won president Kirk Rossman, a founder of Heritage Bank. "We have lived here and done business here."
And although the gathering was intended for the media, some residents from a group opposing the casino showed up. So did one resident supporting it - Casa de Fruta partner Joe Zanger.
The investors, who say they approached the Miwok tribe about six months ago, announced their intention to buy a 209-acre parcel along Highway 25 in San Benito County, but near the Santa Clara border.
They chose the location, surrounded by farm fields and open space, because they hope to promote the resort as an attraction along the corridor to the Monterey Bay. If they build it, a lot of promotion may not be necessary, though. The nearest casinos are more than 90-minute drives away, meaning a local casino would have a stronghold on the gaming market here.
"The largest complaint is people don't come here. People leave Hollister," said Game Won president Rossman. "We want to get people here."
The land, owned by investor Sal Rubino and his Valley View Packing Co., sits adjacent to the Pajaro River basin. They plan to build a casino and they've broached other ideas for the site, such as a hotel, restaurants, a spa and an entertainment venue, according to project manager Gary Ramos.
Investors said their selection of the project's site is the first major decision on a laundry list of steps along the way to breaking ground. Aside from courting local support to eventually gain the governor's approval, the tribe must convince the federal government to place the land in trust status.
The group also plans to hold several public hearings on its potential impacts and perform environmental reviews of the area - even though federally recognized tribes can largely ignore such normally required studies.
Investors said they don't have an expected timeline for completion, though Thompson has said it could open within two years. Investors didn't offer details of the resort proposal or what they plan to offer local governments as compensation.
The group has said it expects the resort to compare to Yolo County's casino, which is 66,000 square feet with 1,762 slot machines. And regarding possible compensation to local governments, such as funding to widen Highway 25, Ramos said, "We do believe we need to pay our fair share."
But investors did tout its potential benefits, such as their expectations to create about 2,000 jobs and draw tourists to energize the local economy.
Although investors didn't provide details of the project's scope - because it's too early in the process - they did indicate public feedback would play a major role in its evolution. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office has already said the group doesn't have a choice, because he won't sign a gaming compact without local support.
Other investors at the announcement included Chris Vanni, owner of Hillcrest Ministorage, Gilroy's Pat Ansuini, Pepper Snyder, Joe Giacaloni and Greg O'Hara.
"When we gain the support of each and every one of you, and the concerns you have, we think we'll build a better project," said the project manager Ramos, who declined to say whether he's also an investor.
On the Miwok's behalf, meanwhile, Thompson emphasized that the tribe also plans to work with the local communities. Officials and opposing residents have expressed concern because the tribe's federally recognized status could allow the group to forgo government regulations, such as zoning and environmental laws.
Thompson, however, did say that the tribe is a private group and that certain details of the venture will remain confidential.
For instance, neither he nor investors disclosed if Game Won has, or plans to, pay the tribe up front for the business relationship they've forged.
Meanwhile, an agreement between the Amah Mutsun tribe and developer Wayne Pierce to build on his 6,500-acre Sargent Ranch includes a downpayment of $1 million from the landowner to the Indians.
Kollin Kosmicki covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach him at 637-5566, ext. 331, or kkosmicki@freelancenews.com.
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